metro
Nnamdi Kanu seeks Trump, AU intervention for release
Nnamdi Kanu seeks Trump, AU intervention for release
Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has petitioned the United States President Donald Trump, the African Union, and several foreign missions and international organizations, seeking urgent intervention for his release from what he described as unlawful captivity.
In the petition sent to THE WHISTLER on Wednesday dated August 22, 2025, and jointly addressed to the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, France, European Union, Netherlands, Sweden, Amnesty International, Red Cross, African Union, ECOWAS Court, Kenya, South Africa, Norway, Denmark, Japan, Brazil, Israel, Finland, and Austria, Kanu said he had been condemned to unlawful detention and solitary confinement since June 2021.
“I, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, a dual Nigerian-British citizen and Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), write this petition as a captive of the Nigerian State, condemned to unlawful detention and solitary confinement in Nigeria since June 2021.
“The Nigerian Supreme Court’s perverse and unconstitutional ruling on December 15, 2023 (Appeal No. SC/CR/136/2022) reversed my lawful discharge and acquittal by the Court of Appeal on October 13, 2022, despite clear jurisdictional nullity and violations of my fundamental rights,” Kanu wrote.
He urged the international community to compel the Nigerian government to respect the law. “By this letter, I respectfully implore your urgent intervention to compel the Nigerian government to adhere to its own laws, respect stare decisis, and uphold the constitutional supremacy enshrined in the 1999 Constitution.
“The Supreme Court’s lawlessness, compounded by the Court of Appeal’s illegal stay of execution, undermines the rule of law, and I seek your assistance to restore justice,” he added.
READ ALSO:
- Osun monarch jailed five years in US for COVID-19 fraud
- Looming strike: ASUU asks NASS, others to intervene
- Police rescue 13 people abducted on Benin-Ore Expressway
Kanu recalled that the Court of Appeal discharged and acquitted him on October 13, 2022, ruling that his abduction from Kenya, where he entered as a UK citizen, was unlawful and violated the Extradition Act 2004 and his right to a fair trial.
He said the extraordinary rendition constituted a jurisdictional nullity that rendered the Federal High Court proceedings void.
He, however, accused the Court of Appeal of illegally granting a stay of execution on October 28, 2022, which enabled his continued detention.
“This decision is a barbaric and illegal act, wholly unknown to criminal law jurisprudence anywhere in the world. It constitutes constitutional criminality of the highest order, exhibiting a shocking lack of fidelity to the Nigerian Constitution,” Kanu said, citing legal authorities that prohibit stays of execution in criminal proceedings.
He further alleged that he was arbitrarily detained without charge between October 2022 and December 2023, in violation of Section 35 of the Nigerian Constitution, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the African Charter.
He said the Supreme Court’s December 15, 2023 decision overturning his acquittal and remitting the case for trial was unconstitutional and amounted to double jeopardy.
Kanu accused the Nigerian judiciary of reckless lawlessness and political bias, noting that the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights had documented systemic bias against IPOB.
READ ALSO:
- We want Obi, Jonathan to join PDP presidential race — Senator Moro
- PDP members seeking presidential ticket zoning to North selfish — Bode George
- NRC suspends Abuja-Kaduna train, evacuates 618 passengers from derailment site
He also accused the United Kingdom of complicity, stating that as a British citizen, his rights under international law had been violated while the UK failed to act.
“I respectfully request urgent intervention: demanding that Nigeria comply with Abacha v. State and Ejiofor v. FRN by enforcing the Court of Appeal’s discharge retroactively to October 13, 2022, nullifying my arbitrary detention, declaring the October 28, 2022 stay illegal, and securing my immediate release,” the petition read.
Kanu also urged the international community to condemn what he called judicial lawlessness in Nigeria, hold the UK accountable for failing to protect his rights, and consider escalating the matter to international courts or sanctions if Nigeria refuses compliance.
“The Supreme Court’s December 15, 2023 reversal, compounded by the Court of Appeal’s illegal stay of execution on October 28, 2022, represents a systemic collapse of the rule of law in Nigeria.
“My 14-month arbitrary detention, enabled by UK inaction, exposes discriminatory neglect and judicial lawlessness. Your urgent intervention is critical to halt my persecution, uphold constitutional governance, and prevent my possible death in custody,” Kanu added.
Nnamdi Kanu seeks Trump, AU intervention for release
![]()
metro
How Thugs Killed Islamic Teacher in Bauchi Over Political Posters
How Thugs Killed Islamic Teacher in Bauchi Over Political Posters
Residents of Karofin Madaki quarters in Bauchi metropolis were thrown into shock and mourning following the killing of a renowned Islamiyyah teacher in the area, Rilwanu Dauda . Dauda, 42, was allegedly killed on Sunday by two brothers suspected to be political thugs after a quarrel over political posters . Daily Trust gathered that Dauda was stabbed in the stomach with a knife and died on the way to hospital .
Trouble started around 10am on that day after the deceased asked the thugs to remove political posters pasted on a billboard adjacent to his family house . The thugs refused and engaged him in a fight . According to the deceased’s elder brother, Hamza Dauda, the younger of the two thugs struck Malam with a stick while the elder struck him with a knife on the head. The cleric collapsed, and people around intervened to force the thugs to leave the scene . However, the younger thug crossed the road, entered his family house, and returned minutes later holding a knife. He met the late brother at the main gate and stabbed him in the stomach before fleeing. Some neighbours saw him sneak away, and it was only after he had gone that they realised the cleric was bleeding from the injury . He was rushed to the Bauchi State Specialist Hospital, but he was confirmed dead on arrival, having died on the way .
Hamza, who was at work when the incident happened, received a call from a friend informing him of his brother’s death. He described his late brother as someone who “never quarreled with others,” adding: “Unfortunately, look at how he was brutally murdered for no reason” . He called on the government and the police to arrest the killers and bring them to justice, saying: “I want justice in this matter. Everybody knows Malam was not troublesome and he was killed unjustly. His family wants justice. The killers should be arrested and made to pay for their actions” .
READ ALSO:
- Soldiers Reject N100,000 Salary as Tinubu Holds Emergency Security Meeting
- DJ Chicken Arrested Over Viral Video Threatening Seyi Tinubu
- Israel Warns US of ‘Specific’ Iranian Assassination Plot Against Trump
When our reporter visited the deceased’s family house, sympathisers were still trooping in four days after his murder for condolences . Residents, who spoke to Daily Trust, described the late cleric as humble, kind, humane and a gentleman . One of them, Muhammad Aminu, lamented: “I wonder why people no longer value human life. People can kill over a slight provocation. This is unfortunate and something should be done to prevent its recurrence” . He suggested that the thugs may have had a grudge against the deceased, noting that after the fight had ended following intervention, one of the thugs returned to the scene and stabbed him. He described the late cleric as kind, religious, generous, and someone who related well with people, residing with his family along Ibrahim Bako Road .
One of the deceased’s neighbours, Bello Ibrahim, gave further details, stating that the thugs called a colleague who came to the scene and proceeded to paste the poster, resulting in a heated argument, after which one of the thugs brought out a dagger, stabbed the late Ridwan in the chest and fled . Residents rushed out, picked him up, and took him to hospital, but he died on the way .
Bauchi State Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed visited the deceased’s family to offer condolences . The governor pledged to take responsibility for the education of the deceased’s children from primary school through university . He said perpetrators of violent crimes anywhere in the state would have no hiding place, as the government intensifies efforts to safeguard lives and property . He assured the bereaved family that justice would be pursued without fear or favour, and anyone found culpable would face the full weight of the law . The governor called on citizens to remain law-abiding and cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information to aid investigations .
Confirming the incident, the Bauchi State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Nafi’u Habib, said police had commenced investigation . “No stone will be left unturned in the course of our investigation until the killers of the cleric are arrested. We will not relent until we arrest them all,” he said . Asked whether any arrests had been made, the police spokesperson said there had been none but assured that the culprits would surely be arrested and brought to book . He urged the public to always report crimes in their communities, adding that the fight against crime is everybody’s responsibility .
Commenting on the rise in murder cases, a retired Police Commissioner, Muhammad Wakil, attributed the incidents to lack of good moral upbringing, drug abuse, illiteracy, and hatred, among other vices . He said: “It is unfortunate that the majority of our youths are into drug abuse and their level of illiteracy is also a contributing factor. Most of our youths are school dropouts and they also lack Islamic knowledge. They don’t have a sound background. This kind of generation can engage in any crime you can think of. With little money you can persuade them to commit any crime. An empty brain is the devil’s workshop and can engage in all sorts of crimes” . He called for a reflection on how forefathers lived and urged the culture of brotherhood to make these vices disappear .
How Thugs Killed Islamic Teacher in Bauchi Over Political Posters
![]()
metro
DJ Chicken Arrested Over Viral Video Threatening Seyi Tinubu
metro
Troops intercept foreign courier carrying drugs, alcohol to terrorists in Borno
Troops intercept foreign courier carrying drugs, alcohol to terrorists in Borno
Operation HADIN KAI troops have intercepted a suspected foreign courier allegedly transporting a large consignment of illicit drugs, alcoholic beverages and other prohibited substances believed to be destined for terrorist groups operating in the Lake Chad Islands of Borno State.
The successful operation was carried out by troops of Sector 3, Joint Task Force North East, during a coordinated search mission along the Maiduguri–Monguno highway on Thursday, July 9, 2026. Military authorities said the suspect was intercepted while travelling towards Kwatan Doron Baga in Kukawa Local Government Area, an area close to the Lake Chad Basin that has remained a strategic route used by insurgents and their logistics networks.
According to the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, the suspect was identified as Mrs. Rachael Samuel, a 48-year-old Chadian national from Kelo, Chari-Baguirmi Province, Republic of Chad.
Captain Goni disclosed that preliminary investigations indicate the prohibited items were being transported to locations within the Lake Chad Islands, an area that has long served as a stronghold for Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
Items recovered during the operation included seven compressed bundles of suspected cannabis sativa weighing approximately 30 kilogrammes, two 10-litre containers of hydromercuric chloride, popularly known as “Suck and Die,” 48 bottles of dry gin, 61 bottles of herbal alcoholic beverages, one mobile phone, two Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards, cash and other personal belongings.
READ ALSO:
- Kogi Teacher’s Murder: Three Suspects Arrested, to Face Trial for Culpable Homicide
- Nigeria’s stock market surpasses South Korea as world’s top-performing equity market
- Tinubu vows not to betray Nigerians, says economic reforms will secure brighter future
Military authorities said the recovered exhibits are valued at millions of naira, adding that the suspect is currently in military custody while the seized items have been secured pending handover to the appropriate law enforcement agency for further investigation and prosecution.
The military described the interception as another major success in ongoing efforts to dismantle the logistics and supply chains that sustain terrorist operations in Nigeria’s North-East.
According to the statement, intelligence gathered over the years has consistently shown that terrorist groups often rely on illicit drugs, alcohol and other intoxicants to stimulate fighters, suppress fear and sustain violent attacks against both civilians and security personnel.
By intercepting the consignment before it reached its intended destination, the troops disrupted what the military described as a critical support network used by terrorist elements operating within the Lake Chad Basin, a region spanning parts of Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Cameroon that has witnessed years of insurgency.
The latest operation adds to a series of recent offensives by Operation HADIN KAI targeting terrorist logistics, weapons supplies and cross-border movements. Nigerian troops, supported by the Nigerian Air Force, have intensified coordinated land and air operations across Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states, leading to the destruction of terrorist enclaves, recovery of weapons, rescue of kidnapped victims and the surrender of several insurgents and their family members.
Security analysts have repeatedly warned that disrupting terrorist logistics remains one of the most effective strategies for weakening insurgent groups. Beyond military offensives, cutting off access to drugs, food supplies, fuel, weapons and financial support significantly reduces the operational capability of armed groups.
The Theatre Command commended the troops for their vigilance, professionalism and commitment to protecting national security. It reaffirmed that operations against terrorists and their collaborators would continue until lasting peace is restored across the North-East.
The military also urged residents to continue providing credible and timely intelligence to security agencies, stressing that public cooperation remains crucial in identifying suspicious movements, dismantling criminal networks and sustaining the gains recorded in the fight against terrorism.
Troops intercept foreign courier carrying drugs, alcohol to terrorists in Borno
![]()
-
metro2 days agoRescue Hope Rises as Security Operatives Identify Oyo Kidnappers’ Network
-
metro2 days agoAppeal Court orders status quo in ISI hijab case, adjourns hearing to Oct. 7
-
News2 days agoEl-Rufai’s Wives Beg Tinubu for Fair Treatment, Say Family Is Traumatised
-
News2 days agoProperties Razed as Yoruba, Hausa Residents Clash in Ibadan
-
metro2 days agoMan Seeks Divorce Over Wife’s Alleged Refusal to Fund Daughter’s Treatment
-
metro3 days agoUPDATED: Gbajabiamila gives Adeniyi 72 hours to retract allegations or face ₦10bn defamation suit
-
Business2 days agoDangote launches free petrol delivery in Lagos, Abuja, five other states
-
Entertainment3 days agoNollywood actress appeals for support as recurring cancer spreads to bones
